People either nod and smile or they look at you strangely when you mention Pickleball. The sport, which only dates back to the 1960s, is becoming increasingly popular with people of all ages.

That is why, when area seniors made the request that the competition be considered for the Senior Games season of activities, planners were pleased to research and coordinate the options that made it possible to announce here that Pickleball will be premiered at Printscape Arena at Southpointe, 114 Southpointe Boulevard, Canonsburg, on Thursday, May 31, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. For those who are not familiar with Pickleball, the game can be played on an outdoor badmintonsized court, and it can also be played on an indoor court. The portable net is slightly shorter and lower than a standard tennis net. The paddle resembles a large ping-pong paddle and can be made of either wood or poly fiberboard. The ball is a little larger than a ping pong ball, made of plastic with holes in it, similar to a small whiffle ball and matches can be played as either singles or doubles.

An official pickleball court is approximately a fourth to a third of the size of a traditional tennis court, which means longer rallies with less area to cover. Therefore, it is easier on the knees, elbows and back. However, don’t be fooled, this low-impact exercise can quickly make you sweat. In addition to being fun, it is believed to help players develop and maintain an improved level of fitness, coordination, balance, and agility. This 2018 Senior Games event uses rules based on those from the USA Pickleball Association. Teams consist of two players and one optional designated alternate, 50 years-of-age or older. Teams must register for this doubles team event by May 24. Additional rules and regulations will appear online at swpa-aaa. org by March 15. Click here for full article